The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-17
NEWS. FROM GERMANY.

Prince Bismarck-Germany's Finances-The
Reichstas's Work-The Ecclesiastical Bill.
Copyrighted by the New York Associated Press.l
BERLIN. April 16-Prince Bismarck will re-
turn to Berlin in time to be present at the de-
bate in the Reichstag the financial proposals
The project before the Bundesrath asking for
a supplementary military credit covers simply
the purposes already agreed upon. and has no
war character. 1t will pass the Rsichstag with
out active opposition. 1t will be otherwise,
however, with the taxation reforms, and
especially with the proposed tax on the con-
sumption of spirits and sugar. The statement
is published that the nature of the proposals is
doubtful. The bills were only sent to the
Bundesrath to-day The budget estimate of
the spirit duty for the current year is that it
will yield IS. O00,O 600 marks. Ten years ago il
was 35,o00000. whereas decade ago it was
45000.0o0 marks Though it is thus made evil
dent that fiscal reforms are necessary. any pro-
posals that the government may make are GER
tain to arouse sectional opposition.
The Conservatives are privately urging Prince
Bismarck TO respond to the impending Russian
customs edict affecting German traders by re-
taliation in the form of increase in the duties
on Russian corn. The other groups in the
Reichstag have no sympathy with this move.
ment.
Besides the financial proposals the legislative
work awaiting the Reichstag includes several
important developments of Prince Bsmarcks
social reform schemes. The first bill to be con
of seamen against accidents. which has been
already sent to committee. 1t has
the partial approval of the shippins
interests, and will pass without trouble. The
~ viii ho
the accident insurance law to laborers employed
in the construction of public works This also
will pass but the governments proposals to
amend the law relating to industrial occupations
in the direction of strengthening the traee-guild
system will lead to energetic collision of opin-
ion in the Rechstag On the WHOLE the pros
pect for tho session is that it will be busy one.
claiming the best energies of tho parties without
raising the worst forms of party passion, and
likely to result lie sound, practical legislation.
The position of the parties on the ecclesiastc1
al bill when 1t comes before the Unterhaus, on
Wednesday, points to the acceptance by the Cen.
ter of the bill as it left tie Oberhaus, but theiI
absolute refusal to accept the bill is certain il
any of the Kopp amendments are stricken out.
The Papal nuncio at Munich has again been
the medium to inform Dr. Wlndthorst, Count
Ballestrem and other clericals as to the policy
of the Vatican. The Centrists are left full Ibis
erty to urge tho insertion of the amendments to
the ecclesiastical bill which were rejected by
Bishop kopp in the Oberhaus, but are recon-
| mended not to compromise the accord between
| the curia and the government by refusing the
| whole bill if the amendments are again rejected.
| Instructions sent the bishops to use their
| influence to maintain the entente cor.
! dale between the Centrists and the State
were received with sullen submission. The Vat
lean is again agitated by reports that DR.. Wind
thorst desires to resign his position rs leader Of
the Clericals and to forego politics altogether.
| 1t is certain that DR.. Windthorss has informed
Bishop Kopp of his strong dislike to his position
| Communications published in the clerical pa
A. - Ia Al
| can in the Center party as vigilant
| sentinel in calling for and guarding the
| execution OF the agreement between the church
| and Prussia. For time the center party must
| hold itself in an expectant attitude and abstain
| from its former tactics OF wagng an unceasing
| battle against the State, and must vote for the
bill and await turn in the orders Of the Vatican.
The National press asks it this can mean q
! permanent peace
| The National leaders will exchange views with
| the Conservative leaders before the opening Of
the discussion. There is every sign that the
| bill, after reference to q committee, will pass
| without material alterations
The Pope has instructed the bishops of Stras.
| burg and Metz to direct the clergy of their do
| ceses to take no part in the anti-German agita-
| ton, and to abstain from fostering the senti-
ments displayed during the recent election for
! members OF the Reicnstag. This act of friendly
neutrality is recognized in Berlin official circles
| as proof OF the earnest desire of the Vatican
| not to conflict with Germany Many priests in
| Alsace- Lorraine ardently melted the French
| sympathies of the people and assisted the cleo
| toral successes of the Protesters. The Cologne
Gazette states that the government has obtained
1 data showing that the greater number OF mayors
in Alsace-Lorraine belong to tho Protester party.
A bill will be submitted to the Reichstag
abolishing the French law still existing in these
provinces, obliging the government to select the
| mayors from the municipal councils, and giving
! the government absolute choice of the mayors.
| The decree affecting Frenchmen travelling in
Asace-Lorraine has been enforced since Mon
| day. The decree does not apply to Frenchmen
| who were sojourning in the provinces before tn Q
| edict was issued. According TO its terms tho
| mayors are ordered to instantly inform the
central authorities Of any French arrivals ID.
their communes without passes. Commercial
travellers who are once provided with q permit
Will be allowed to 60 where they please through
| out the provinces The Alsace Lorraine police
have been instructed to apply the decree mildly
| for some time to come.